The United Nations Foundation today announced the launch of Future of Africa, a new podcast series that amplifies young African voices in global policy conversations. Future of Africa is co-hosted by the African Union Youth Envoy, the UN Foundation and The Elders, in collaboration with the Global Dispatches Podcast.

This limited-series podcast, presented by Kenyan media personality Adelle Onyango alongside Mark Leon Goldberg, brings together young changemakers and global leaders, exploring the global challenges and opportunities shaping the world today — and Africa tomorrow.

Through a mix of personal storytelling and policy dialogue, the podcast tackles issues ranging from climate justice and financing for development to trust in democratic institutions and the future of education. As multilateralism faces a crisis of trust and relevance, Future of Africa offers a fresh model. By platforming conversations between global leaders and young African changemakers, the series explores how human stories can disrupt conventional thinking, build empathy across borders, and forge shared purpose around urgent global challenges.

“As the world’s youngest continent, Africa holds the key to shaping the global future,” said Harshani Dharmadasa, Senior Director at the UN Foundation. “The Future of Africa podcast elevates the bold ideas, lived experiences, and leadership of young Africans already driving change from the grassroots to global platforms.”

The podcast is a signature output of the Panel of the Future, an initiative of the African Union Youth Envoy that convenes young leaders advocating for inclusive, youth-centered policymaking. Each episode pairs these emerging voices with statespeople and global policy experts in unscripted, intergenerational conversations designed to share innovative ideas and practical solutions with listeners.

?“I’ve seen powerful ideas buried in reports that many people will never read. This podcast is about amplifying the voices of young Africans who are building a new future for our continent and the world,” said Chido Mpemba, Advisor to the African Union Commission Chairperson. “This series is a reminder that stories, especially when led by young people, can humanize global challenges, challenge outdated assumptions, and help reimagine how international cooperation works for the next generation.”

This podcast brings young people’s energy into direct dialogue with the institutions shaping our continent and our world. Guests include:

• Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
• Chido Mpemba, formerly the African Union’s Special Youth Envoy and currently the Advisor to the African Union Commission Chairperson focused on Women, Gender and Youth
• Minister Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Chair of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Minister of Education of Senegal 
• Ms. Tina Muparadzi, Executive Director for the Education and Transitions programming platform at Mastercard Foundation’s Education, Learning & Youth Livelihood Team 
• Ms. Graça Machel, First Education Minister of Mozambique, Co-founder of the Elders

For the full episode lineup, visit unfoundation.org/FutureOfAfrica

Season 1: Spotlight on Africa’s Global Voice

Launching on International Youth Day, August 12, 2025, the first season of Future of Africa features seven episodes:

1. Africa’s Role on the Global Stage (Aug 12)

A high-level conversation on Africa’s growing diplomatic power, inclusive governance, and how a new generation is shaping international relations.

2. Climate, Peace and Security Nexus (Aug 19)

Exploring how climate stress fuels insecurity — and how Indigenous knowledge, diplomacy, and gender equity can drive peace.

3. Global Partnerships and Delivering on Finance (Aug 26)

What does meaningful financing for Africa look like after the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development? These guests unpack real commitments, youth agency, and equitable global finance.

4. The Trust Deficit (Sep 2)

Addressing the erosion of trust in governance, this episode highlights how inclusive leadership, electoral integrity, and youth-led civic renewal are essential to rebuilding trust.

5. Educating the Next Generation (Sep 9)

From school systems to startups, this episode examines how Africa can equip young people with the skills needed to shape the future economy.

6. Women on the Rise (Sep 16)

In honor of Beijing+30, this episode celebrates women and girls leading change, and explores policy and investment as tools to unlock their full potential.

7. Vaccines, Progress, Potential (Sep 18)

This episode highlights how vaccines have transformed public health in Africa and what’s next for regional manufacturing, equity, and youth leadership in immunization.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of United Nations Foundation.